Power transmission device



17, 1936. w 5 BRlAN 2,034,021

POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l DRIVEN SHAFT.

DRIVING SHAFT W. S. BRIAN POWER TRANSMIS S I ON DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imenfa Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 5, 1932, Serial No. 636,271 Renewed August 9, 1935 8 Claims.

The invention relates generally to power transmission devices, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified hydraulic variable-speed transmission device which is particularly adapted for use in automobiles.

Another object is to provide such a hydraulic variable-speed transmission wherein the transmission ratio is varied gradually and automatically in response to variation in the resistance or load impressed upon the driven shaft.

Another object is to provide a new and improved automatically operable variable-speed transmission having means for enabling and disabling the driving connection between the driving and driven shafts so as to start and stop the driven shaft.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure l is a side .elevational view of a power transmission device embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmental sectional views taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2 and showing the manual control valve in two different positions.

t Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the casing and the wobble plate rotated through 90 with respect to the driving shaft.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental view taken in section along the line 1--7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

' While the invention may be employed wherever a variable-speed driving connection is required, the embodiment herein illustrated is intended and particularly adapted for use as an aumission device I2. The transmission device comprises a hollow spherical casing I3 consisting of two semi-spherical sections I 3 and I3 flanged at I4 at their adjacent edges and secured together by bolts I5. At opposite sides of the sections I3 land I3lintegral hubs or stub shafts I 6 and I! are formed, projecting in alinement and in opposite directions from the casing I3. The stub shaft I6 has formed therein a splined axial socket [8 into which the splined end I I of the driven shaft II projects so as to fix the casing I3 non-rotat- 5 ably to the shaft II. The shaft I! has an axial bore I 3 through which the end of the driving shaft It! extends in rotatable relation to the casing I3 and the driven shaft II.

Within the casing I3 means is provided for 10 forming a rotation-transmitting connection between the shaft ID and the casing I3 whereby to drive the shaft I I from the shaft II]. This means is hydraulic in character and provides for variation of the transmission ratio between the two shafts and such variation is preferably obtained automatically in accordance with the load impressed on the driven shaft II.

In the present instance the hydraulic rotation transmitting connection is such that relative rotation of the two shafts causes circulatory movement of a suitable non-freezing uncompressible fluid within the casing I3 and along a variably restricted path. Hence when the driving shaft I0 and the driven shaft II are rotating at synchronous speeds and substantially without load, there is no circulation of the fluid along its restricted path. The impression of a load or retarding force upon the driven shaft II causes pressure to be built up in the fluid in the casing and fluid is caused to circulate along the restricted path and relative rotation of the two shafts is permitted whereby to decrease the speed or transmission ratio between the shafts Ill and II and thereby cause an increase in the power transmitted so as to overcome or balance the impressed load.

To provide for circulation of the fluid within the casing I3 during relative rotation of the shafts I 0 and I I, means is provided within the casing forming two chambers 20' and 2| which are varied in volume by such relative rotation of the shafts so as to cause flow of the fluid back and forth between the two chambers.v The chambers 20 and 2I are in the present instance formed on opposite sides of a segmental division wall 22 lying in a plane passing through the axis of the shafts I0 and II with its peripheral edges slidably positioned in a guide groove 23 formed in the inner surface of the casing I3.

Between the wall 22 and the inner end Of the driving shaft I I] a wobble plate 24 is mounted, generally in a transverse relation to the division wall 22. The wobble plate 24 is non-rotatable with respect to the casing I3 by reason of extensions 22 of the wall 22 (Figs. 6 to 8) which project through slots 25 formed in opposite edges of the plate 24. Relative wobbling or gyratory movement of the plate 24 and Wall 22 is permitted by bearings 26 positioned in sliding relation to the Wall 22 and in rocking relation to arcuate seats 2? formed in the sides of the slots 25 in the plate 24.

In the rocking movement of the plate 24 about the bearings 25 (Fig. '7) a tight joint is maintained between the plate 24 and the wall 22 intermediate the two slots 25 by means of an elongated convex bearing surface 28 (Fig. 2) formed on the plate 24 and engaging a complemental concave surface 29 formed on the opposed edge of the wall 22.

It will be apparent that the elongated bearing surfaces 23 and 29 must constantly be in contact with each other during the gyratory movement of the plate 23 and due to this contact the wall 22 is oscillated in the groove 23 as will be evident from a comparison of Figs. to 6.

To impart the desired wobbling movement to the plate it any desired form of connection may be employed between the plate 24 and the driving shaft 10. In the present case the shaft H? has a head 36 thereon within the casing IS with an end surface 3i positioned at an angle to the axis of the shaft and bearing rotatably against the adjacent recessed surface of the plate 2@ through the medium of anti-friction members 32 runningin annular grooves 33 in the head and plate.

The chambers 23 and 2| are of such a character that their volumes are constantly varied during relative rotation of the shafts ill and H and it will be evident that when passage of the fluid between the chambers is prevented, the two shafts will be locked together and a one to one transmission ratio will result.

To permit variation of this direct drive ratio, flow of fluid between the chambers 2| and 22 is permitted, and this is accomplished by suitable restricted ports 34 and 35 formed in the division wall 22 and controlled respectively by shiftable valves 36 and 31. In its flow from the chamber 28 to the chamber 25 the fluid passes through the port 35 and acts against and opens the valve 31 which is normally held in its closed position by a spring 33 acting between the valve 3'! and a bracket 39 fixed on the wall 22. A similar spring 43 mounted on a bracket 4-! opposes opening of the valve 33 in the passage of fluid through the port 3% from the chamber 2! to the chamber 23. The valves 33 and 37, being spr ng pressed toward their closed positions, serve as means for variably restricting their ports and thereby impart a greater range of variation in the flow of fluid through the ports.

In order to stop the rotation of the shaft ll, free movement of the fluid between the chambers 23 and 2t is permitted through a suitable by-pass consisting of parallel bores 42 extending from the chambers 29 and 2i into the stub shaft 16 and communicating with each other under the control of a manually shiftable valve 53. The valve 43 is slidable transversely through the stub shaft E5 in a guide passage 44 which intersects and communicates with the two bores 42, and a inner surface of the collar 46 suitable cam recesses 48 (only one shown) are formed at opposite ends of the valve 43 with oppositely disposed angular cam surfaces 49 engaging oppositely disposed angular end surfaces 50 formed on the valve 43. Thus by shifting the collar 46 from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 3, the valve 43 may be shifted transversely of the stub shaft [6 to move the port 45 into registration with the bores 42 and the by-pass opened and free rotation of the shaft ll] permitted, thereby stopping the movement of the shaft H.

In the operation of the device, the by-pass valve 43 is opened to permit the shaft II to remain stationary during rotation of the driven and 2| are varied so as to force the fluid back and forth through the by-pass.

When it is desired to start rotation of the shaft H the by-pass valve 43 is closed. The load on the shaft ll, of course, resists rotation of that shaft, thus building up pressure in one of the twochambers so as to cause a relatively great opening of one of the valves 36 or 31 to permit flow of fluid from one chamber to the other. This permits relative rotation of the two shafts and l l and a rotation transmitting connection is formed to the shaft l I at a power-multiplying ratio which will overcome the resistance torque of the load and start rotation of the shaft ll. As the load is decreased, due to reduction of inertia or other causes, the pressure within the chambers 26 and 2| is decreased, the valve opening is correspondingly and automatically reduced by the action of the springs 38 and 40 and the amount of relative rotation between the shafts l6 and II is decreased, thereby increasing the relative speed of the driven shaft I I. This change continues as governed by the impressed load and it approaches a one to one driving ratio between the two shafts Ill and II. To break the driving connection, the valve 43 is againope'ned to establish the by-pass communication between the chambers 20 and 2|.

I claim as my invention:

1. A variable-speed power transmission device comprising a spherical casing to be driven, a drive shaft extending rotatably into said casing, a wobble plate mounted for oscillation in said casing and fixed against rotation relative to'the casing about the axis of said shaft, a connection between said shaft and said plate operable in relative rotation of said shaft and said casing to impart wobbling movement to said plate, a division wall within said casing mounted for oscillation about an axis perpendicular to said wall'and to the axis of said shaft and arranged to rotate with said casing and plate, and said wall cooperating with said plate to form two fluid filled chambers the volumes of which are varied during relative rotation of the shaft and thecasing, and means'providing a restricted path of circulation for fluid between the said chambers.

2. A device ofthe character described 'comprising a spherical casing, a shaft extending rotatably into said casing, a wobble plate mounted for oscillation in said casingand fixed against rotation therein about the axis of said shaft, 8. connection between said shaft and said plate operable in relative rotation of said shaft and said casing to impart wobbling movement to said plate, a division wall mounted within'said casing substantially parallel to the 'axis'of said shaft75 for shifting movement about an axis perpendicular to said wall and arranged to rotate with said casing and plate, and cooperating with said plate to form two fluid filled chambers the volumes of which are varied during relative rotation of the shaft and the casing, and means providing a restricted path of circulation for fluid between the said chambers.

3. A device of the character described comprising driving and driven shafts, a casing nonrotatably connected to one of said shafts, the other of said shafts extending into the casing in rotatable relation thereto, a wobble plate nonrotatably mounted within said casing, a connection between said other shaft and said plate operable in relative rotation of said other shaft and said casing to cause wobbling movement of said plate, said casing having a spherically formed inner surface against which the edge of said plate slides, a division wall in said casing and bearing against said plate on the side opposite from said other shaft and providing, with said casing and plate, two substantially liquid tight chambers, the volumes of which are varied during relative rotation of the two shafts, the bearing surfaces between the plate and the wall being formed to provide for pivotal movement of the plate relative to the wall, means fixing said wall against transverse movement and providing a sliding bearing permitting shifting of the wall about an axis perpendicular to the wall, fluid filling said chambers, and means providing a restricted path along which the fluid may be forced back and forth between said chambers.

4. A device of the character described comprising a spherical casing, a shaft extending rotatably into said casing, a wobble plate mounted within said casing substantially transverse to the axis of said shaft, a division wall mounted within said casing substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, means supporting said wall against lateral movement and providing a bearing for shifting movement of the wall in said casing about an axis perpendicular to said wall, means acting between said wall and said plate to prevent rotation of said plate, said wall and said plate cooperating to form two fluid filled chambers the volumes of which are varied during wobbling movement of the plate, a connection between said shaft and said plate operable in relative rotation of said shaft and said casing to impart wobbling movement to said plate, and means providing a restricted path'of circulation for fluid between the said chambers.

5. A variable-speed power transmission device comprising driving and driven shafts, a casing non-rotatably connected to one of said shafts,

means operatively connected to the other of said shafts and cooperating with said casing to provide two fluid filled chambers, the volumes of which are varied during relative rotation of the two shafts, means providing two passages to 5 permit liquid to flow between the two chambers, and check valves closing said passages and having springs normally pressing said valves toward their closed positions.

6. A device of the character described compris- 10 ing driving and driven shafts, a casing nonrotatably connected to one of said shafts, the other of said shafts extending into the casing in. rotatable relation thereto, means operatively connected to said last mentioned shaft within 15 said casing and cooperating with said casing toprovide two substantially liquid-tight chambers, the volumes of which are varied during relative rotation of the two shafts, fluid filling said chambers, means providing two passages con- 20 necting said two chambers, oppositely disposed check valves controlling said passages, a by-pass connecting said two chambers, and a manually shiftable valve for controlling said by-pass.

7. A device of the character described com- 25 prising driving and driven shafts, a casing nonrotatably connected to one of said shafts, the other of said shafts extending into the casing in rotatable relation thereto, means operatively connected to said last mentioned shaft within 30 said casing and cooperating with said casing to provide two substantially liquid-tight chambers, the volumes of which are varied during relative rotation of the two shafts, fluid filling said chambers, means providing two passages connecting 35 said two chambers, a by-pass connecting said two chambers and a manually shiftable valve for controlling said by-pass.

8. A device of the character described comprising driving and driven shafts, a. casing non- 40 valve during rotation of said last mentioned one of the shafts.

WILLIAM STANLEY BRIAN. 

